Predicting geographically distributed adult dental decay in the greater Auckland region of New Zealand

摘要

Objective: To model the geographic distribution of current (and treated) dental decay on a high-resolution geographic basis for the Auckland region of New Zealand. Basic research design: The application of matrix-based mathematics to modelling adult dental disease-based on known population risk profiles to provide a detailed map of the dental caries distribution for the greater Auckland region. Results: Of the 29 million teeth in adults in the region some 1.2 million (4%) are suffering decay whilst 7.2 million (25%) have previously suffered decay and are now restored. Conclusions: The model provides a high-resolution picture of where the disease burden lies geographically and presents to health planners a method for developing future service plans.